Monitoring Physical Activity (Fitbit)

Physical Activity Clinical Trial

Official title: Physical Activity Promotion Through Wearable Monitors: A Test of Self and Partner Monitoring Strategies.

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of monitoring and sharing physical activity outcomes (using Fitbit technology) with a domestic partner on physical activity participation.

Primary research question: Does sharing physical activity outcomes from wearable technology with a participant's partner improve overall physical activity over 3 months compared to not sharing outcomes? Physical activity will be measured as minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week.

Hypothesis: Knowledge that physical activity outcomes are visible to a participant's partner will serve as a proxy-supervision intervention. Awareness of partner's progress will serve as further motivation. Both factors will improve physical activity adherence in comparison to participants without shared outcomes.

Clinical Trial Description

Background: Physical activity is associated with management and/or prevention of over 25 chronic health conditions; however the majority of adults in North America are not active enough to experience these benefits. Behavioral strategies have been shown to be effective for increasing physical activity, and wearable fitness monitors such as Fitbits include components of several behavioral strategies including goal setting and feedback. While this technology provides a platform for implementing self-regulation techniques important for behavior change, direct supervision is still the most effective strategy for behavior change. Supervised exercise programs and personal trainers may not be accessible or affordable for people; this study will examine whether proxy supervision by a partner is effective in changing behavior compared to self-regulation alone.

Target Population: Sedentary adults aged 45-75 years old living in Victoria, British-Columbia, Canada.

Sample Size: 80 participant pairs (160 total participants), 40 pairs per group (80 participants per group).

Intervention: Participants will be randomized to two groups: 1 - Self Monitored, 2 - Partner monitored. Both groups will receive an intervention with Group 1 (Self monitored) serving as the comparison group. Participants from both groups will wear an accelerometer for 1 week and complete an online questionnaire at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months. Measures of height, weight, waist circumference, and resting blood pressure and heart rate will be taken at baseline and 3 months. Participants will all receive a Fitbit activity tracker and wear it for 3 months. Group 2 (Partner monitor) participants will also have access to their partner's daily progress, receive eachother's Weekly Fitbit reports, and engage in a weekly discussion related to their Weekly Fitbit Report. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Health Promotion
• Physical Activity

• NCT number: NCT03248752
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Victoria
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: July 4, 2017
• Completion date: August 26, 2019